Transportation director, bus driver provide school bus safety tips

The Ionia Public Schools Department of Transportation is gearing up for National School Bus Safety Week, which will take place Oct. 21 through 25 this year.

Mattie Cookmattie.cook@sentinel-standard.com

The Ionia Public Schools Department of Transportation is gearing up for National School Bus Safety Week, which will take place Oct. 21 through 25 this year.

According to Ionia Public Schools Department of Transportation Director Greg King, approximately 3,100 students throughout the district ride on the bus.

"We transport approximately 1,500 students, so about half of the total number, 600,000 miles or more each year," King said.

Although Ionia Public Schools bus drivers generally have "a lot of experience and longevity," according to school bus driver Mary Ellen Groom, there is still cause for preparations each year.

At the elementary level, Community Service Trooper for the Michigan State Police Lakeview Post Keith Disselkoen hosts assemblies to teach students about school bus safety early on.

"There are a few reasons we use Trooper Keith. One is that kids will think that it is important because a police officer is saying it. Another is so that it can help limit discipline problems with kids," Groom said.

Elementary students are able to get onto the bus and see firsthand concepts such as "the danger zone." Upper-level students are able to visualize the concepts and utilization of the school bus is not important for those grades, Groom said.

"After the assemblies, Trooper Keith reminds them of their responsibility to look both ways," said Groom.

In a hands-on environment students learn how to perform rear evacuations, are instructed not to touch red handles, are introduced to all exits and are given the opportunity to perform a safety drill.

"The students are taught to exit seat-by-seat so that it's a controlled panic. We have two older students go out to help the others sit and slide down. These students basically help lower the other students to the ground safely. Then, the leader student will pick a safe spot away from the bus where the students will go and they will be told to stand there quietly," Groom said.

Groom encourages all bus driver to perform safety drills on their buses during the year, as well as to identify the leaders so that everyone on the school bus knows their role.

"That way, if we have to do an evacuation, everyone is ready," said Groom.

According to Groom, the job of Ionia Public Schools bus drivers is to do more than pick up and drop off students, they do additional things throughout the year to keep students safe.

"We tell all of our students, 'If you get in the danger zone, you could get run over and that's just the way it is,'" said Groom.

For Groom, one of her most important roles as a school bus driver is to let families know that their children are being talked to about school bus safety. It does not stop there, however, as Groom posits that it is important for parents to "back up" bus drivers regarding safety issues.

"They (Ionia Public Schools bus drivers) know how important it is to be trained and prepared, so our drivers go above and beyond to provide the knowledge that keeps students safe day in and day out as well as the proper procedures should an emergency situation arise," Ionia Public Schools Superintendent Patricia Batista said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), school buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting students to and from school. In addition, the NHTSA posits that school buses are designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in avoiding crashes and preventing injury and are estimated to keep 17.3 million cars off roads near schools each morning.

"We really do an awesome job. We provide a lot of personalized service that you wouldn't find in other districts. It's important to use to make sure they're safe," Groom said.

Here are tips provided by King and Groom to help ensure school bus safety and to promote the initiatives of National School Bus Safety Week:

- Wait on the sidewalk, away from the road, for the school bus to arrive - Do not play games, run around or "play around" while waiting for the school bus - Wait until the bus comes to a full stop before approaching. Then, walk to the bus in a single file line. - Use the handrail to get on the bus - When exiting the bus, use the handrail and wait for the driver's permission to exit - Move away from the door quickly once you are off the bus. Walk at least 10 steps ahead of the bus along the edge of the road - Make sure you are at least 10 feet from the bus and that you can see the bus driver's face - Wait until the bus driver signals you across. Then, double-check for traffic before crossing the street - On the bus, stay seated at all times. No standing in the aisles or on seats - Speak quietly - Keep your hands and head inside the bus when the windows are open - Be polite to other students, keep your hands to yourself and be kind - Keep the bus clean by not littering or writing on anything - Keep the aisles clear of backpacks and other personal belongings - If one of your personal belongings goes underneath the bus, ask the bus driver to help you retrieve it - Stay away from the danger zone at all times. The danger zone consists of the area 10 feet in front of and to the side of the school bus. This is the most dangerous area. - Do not speak to the bus driver unless it is an emergency - Wear bright clothes so that drivers can see you and do not wear anything that could catch on the bus when entering or exiting. - Older students should look after younger students to help keep them safe

"School buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting students to and from school" Groom said.

For more information regarding National School Bus Safety Week, visit www.nhtsa.gov or contact the Ionia Public Schools Department of Transportation at 616-527-5766.